Supplements for Weight Loss

In this Article

When you want to drop some weight, it's tempting to look for help anywhere you can. If your thoughts turn to supplements or herbal remedies, keep in mind that research gives many of them mixed reviews. In some cases, there isn't a lot of science to back up the claims, and some have health risks. Talk with your doctor first before you try any.

The FDA regulates dietary supplements, but it treats them like foods rather than medications. Unlike drug manufacturers, the makers of supplements don't have to show their products are safe or effective before they sell them.

Chitosan

This is a sugar that comes from the hard outer layers of lobsters, crabs, and shrimp. Enthusiasts say it can block fats and cholesterol from getting absorbed by your body.

Does it help you lose weight? Natural Medicines, an independent group that analyzes research on supplements, says there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate it. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that chitosan has not been shown to be effective for weight loss.

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is a mineral that enhances insulin, a hormone that's important for turning food into energy. Your body also needs it to store carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

There are claims that chromium supplements can:

Lower your appetite

Help you burn more calories

Cut your body fat

Boost your muscle mass

But a review of 24 studies that checked the effects of 200 to 1,000 micrograms of chromium a day found that there aren't any significant benefits. Natural Medicines says that chromium is "possibly ineffective" for weight loss.

At less than 35 micrograms a day, chromium supplements are typically safe for adults. Higher doses can cause:

Hoodia

This is a plant that grows in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the stem of the root was traditionally used by Bushmen to cut their hunger and thirst during long hunts. It's now marketed as an appetite suppressant.

Hoodia contains P57, an ingredient that's said to curb appetite by helping you feel full. But there's no credible evidence that it's safe or effective.

7-Keto-DHEA

This is found naturally in your body. It may help you lose pounds by boosting your metabolism so you burn more calories throughout the day.

In a couple of small studies, people who took 7-keto-DHEA -- along with moderate exercise and a reduced-calorie diet -- lost significantly more weight than those who were given a placebo (a dummy pill). But Natural Medicines says there still isn't enough reliable evidence to rate how well it works.

A decrease in blood count has been reported after taking 7-Keto-DHEA for a week. Scientists are not yet sure what this can mean for the person taking the supplement.

Ephedra

This is an herb that's also known as ma huang. This is a different plant from a related species that grows in North America. Ephedra contains the stimulant ephedrine.

It is very closely related to these manmade compounds found in some drugs:

The FDA's ban doesn't apply to traditional Chinese herbal remedies or to products such as herbal teas.

According to the FDA, there is little evidence that the herb helps except for short-term weight loss. The agency says the health risks outweigh any benefits.

Natural Medicines says ephedra is "likely unsafe."

Continued

Bitter Orange

The bitter orange tree is native to Africa and tropical Asia. It's also grown in the Mediterranean, California, and Florida.

Bitter orange fruit rind contains synephrine, a stimulant related to ephedrine. It supposedly works by raising the number of calories burned.

After the FDA banned weight loss products containing ephedra, many makers switched to bitter orange, but it's not clear if it's safer.

Natural Medicines says that bitter orange is "possibly unsafe" and there's not enough evidence to know if it works for weight loss.

Some studies show bitter orange supplements can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. There have been reports that they may have had dangerous side effects in people who took bitter orange alone or combined with other stimulants such as caffeine. The risks include: